Addiction in Adolescence Assignment 2
Abstract
Substance abuse in adolescence is a growing concern. One of the leading issues that surround
adolescent experimenting with substances is peer pressure. However, there are ways to help
discourage the use of substances such as preventive intervention. With a strong religious
upbringing and being strong in spirituality the statistics show that adolescents are less likely to
use and abuse alcohol and drugs.
Keywords: preventive intervention, religion and spirituality, substance abuse
Addiction in Adolescence Assignment 3
Addiction in Adolescence Assignment
Addiction is a common problem with adolescence in today’s world, whether it be an
addiction to drugs or alcohol, it is a serious problem out adolescence are facing day in and day
out. As a parent with an adolescence, plus the added issue of addiction in our family it is a real
fear that my children will also come to have addiction issues. An unfortunate but real problem is
that peer pressure is a big contributor to the abuse of drugs and alcohol that can turn into an
addiction problem. However, those with a strong religious up bringing and are strong in their
spirituality also do better at resisting the urge to drink and do drugs.
Current Research
Current research shows that white men in the Greek system are more likely to abuse
drugs and alcohol due to the peer pressure, however the risk is high amongst all people between
18 and 24. This puts them at a higher risk or lower grade point averages, becoming addicted to
the substance, driving under the influence, sexual assaults, unprotected sex, physical injury,
sexual assaults, even situations as severe as death. With that being said, addiction and substance
abuse has clearly made an impact on more risky behaviors within the adolescence population. It
is important to note that during this time the brain is still developing and the risk of what is done
to a brain due to the abuse of substances is vast.
Prevention
A key component of helping to prevent the abuse or addiction of substances is
preventative intervention (Wong et al., 2021), this means that we work to help adolescence not to
begin the abuse of substances, to withstand peer pressures and find other ways to “fit in,” with
peers. It is a lot easier said than done for an undeveloped brain to weigh the pros and cons of
Addiction in Adolescence Assignment 4
potential actions before taking part in them. Increasing the knowledge that our adolescence has
about alcohol and other drugs will help them to make more informed choices when faced with
peer pressure in the future, so opening the door for those talks and education earlier on in life
will help them to be more prepared later in life when they are faced with life choices.
Religion and Spirituality
There have been studies that show that adolescence that are active in spirituality and
religion are less likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol than those that have little to no
interactions with religion or spirituality (Grim & Grim, 2019.) It could be said that have a close
connection with God and His teachings can help steer an adolescent in the correct direction away
from risky behaviors including that which is associated with alcohol and other substances that
can have lasting affects on the brain and body.
Substance abuse is a real problem that is happening in the world day in and day out. The
sad truth is that our adolescent population is particularly vulnerable due to the lack of having a
fully developed brain to think things out thoroughly and assess the outcome of their action. There
are many factors that go into preventing and even helping an addicted adolescents overcome the
urge to use alcohol and drugs.
Addiction in Adolescence Assignment 5
References
Grim, B. J., & Grim, M. E. (2019). Belief, behavior, and belonging: How faith is indispensable
in preventing and recovering from substance abuse. Journal of Religion and Health, 58(5),
1713–1750. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00876-w
Wong, D. W., Hall, K. R., & Hernandez, W. L. (2021). Counseling individuals through the
lifespan (2nd ed.). SAGE.
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